Nutritional status and dietary profile of people living with HIV/AIDS in three care sites of the Mbouda Health District, West Cameroon

HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a global crisis, particularly in Africa, with major consequences for public health and the economy. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and dietary profile of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Mbouda Health District with the objective of contributing to the improvement of their nutritional care. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted among 272 PLHIV over a two-month period (May to June 2025). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, economic, clinical, and dietary characteristics. Anthropometric measurements were taken using a weighing scale and a stadiometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and the Chi-square test was applied at a 5% significance level. Results showed that 48.2, 33.5, 14.7, and 3.7% of participants were respectively of normal weight, overweight, obese, and undernourished. Results also showed that the majority of participants had never consulted a nutritionist (54.4%), and 49.6% reported eating three times a day. In addition, 59.9% use mixed protein sources (animal and plant proteins) while 60.3% reported consuming fruits and vegetables two to three times a week. 71% of participants said they engaged in physical activity. Statistical analysis revealed several factors significantly associated with nutritional status, including monthly income ( p = 0.045), the impact of HIV on daily activities ( p = 0.024), religion ( p = 0.007), frequency of dietary consultations ( p = 0.002), consumption of protein-rich foods ( p = 0.047), and consumption of fruits and vegetables ( p = 0.005). Moreover, regular physical activity ( p = 0.005) was found to be beneficial for quality of life. In conclusion, certain socioeconomic factors and dietary habits influence the nutritional status of PLHIV in the Mbouda Health District, where there is evidence of the double burden of malnutrition.